Mayor named 'joker of the year'

8:45am Saturday 4th October 2008

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London Mayor Boris Johnson has been named joker of the year at this year's Lafta awards, while Harry Enfield was crowned Loaded legend.

Gavin and Stacey star and writer Ruth Jones won the funniest woman award.

The Loaded Laftas ceremony took place in London and the awards are voted for by the magazine's readers.

Enfield said of his win: "I'm chuffed to bits to be a Loaded Legend! I've read every edition of Loaded from cover to cover since it was first published in 1908 - to actually be in it is amazing.

"And to get an award and free booze and possibly meet the Mighty Boosh who are always at every free booze event is like a dream come true."

Last year's winner in the category was Vic Reeves.

Johnson won the gong "for somehow managing to get the top job in London", awards organisers said.

He beat canoe couple John and Anne Darwin, Balthazar Getty, Calum Best and Fern Britton who had been nominated in the category.

Loaded editor Martin Daubney said: "This year's Laftas proves yet again that comedy is the lifeblood of our nation."

Ruth Jones, who grabbed the gong from her Gavin and Stacey co-star Joanna Page, described her win as "lush!"